Socialist Party USA

The International Commission of the Socialist Party USA calls for an immediate end to the 43 year occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, during which Israel has repeatedly and blatantly violated the laws of the Geneva Convention by committing numerous acts of lethal and non-lethal ethnic cleansing; hoarding of resources and colonization of occupied land with distinction to both ethnicity and religion; not only failed to protect noncombatants but actively sought to harm them through collective punishment measures; and detained and publicly humiliated hostages. These violations are internationally recognized war crimes which should be tried at the International Court of Justice.Israel has been able to sustain its policy of aggression and occupation by the use of an enormous infusion of funds in the form of U.S. military aid. The International Commission of the Socialist Party USA calls for an immediate end to all military and economic aid to Israel from the United States government.

We demand an immediate end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip and a cessation of military aggression against civilians. However, we recognize that petitions for greater decorum on the part of Israel are not sufficient. Israel's status as a Zionist state, promoting the welfare and interests of one particular group (the Jewish people) over all others determines its aggressive and divisive nature. Although every capitalist state is an apparatus for the oppression of one class by another, a religious state imposes a second layer of division and marginalization. We continue to call for the self-determination and freedom of the Palestinian people in all of the land collectively recognized as the state of Israel and the Occupied Territories, in which all the rights and welfare of all of its populace will be equally respected. As democratic socialists, we will work with all of those involved to achieve the above goals."

The International Commission of the Socialist Party USA endorses the July 2005 call of 180 Palestinian organizations for a boycott of Israeli goods, as well as those produced by non-Israeli corporations that invest in Israel, and a divestment from Israeli corporations. Furthermore, the International Commission agrees with the Palestinian call that these "non-violent punitive measures" be maintained until Israel complies with international law by ending its siege of the Gaza Strip and its occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights;by recognizing the right to full equality of all its citizens; and by "respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated by UN Resolution 194.

Socialist Party USA 339 Lafayette St. #303 New York, NY 10012